Engines 6: Electrical Systems Flashcards

1
Q

Describe DC power.

A

Electrical current that flows in one direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the disadvantages of DC components?

A

Heavy
Unreliable
Require increased maintenance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the DC components?

A

DC generator
Transformer-Rectifier
Battery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe AC power.

A

Electrical current that reverses it’s direction of flow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the advantages of AC components?

A

Lightweight
Simple
Reliable

AC components are lighter because they require less current (due to high voltage) which reduces the amount of wiring needed in the aircraft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the AC components?

A

Alternator (AC generator)
Inverter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What type of power do generators produce?

A

Can produce DC power or AC power (depending on the generator type)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does a constant speed drive (CSD) do?

A

It is a hydro-mechanical linkage that ensures a constant input rpm to the generator regardless of engine rpm

The constant input rpm means that there will be a steady output voltage to supplied equipment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is an inverter?

A

A device that transforms DC power into AC power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a transformer-rectifier?

A

A device that transformers AC power into DC power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a battery?

A

A device that provides DC power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the purpose of a battery?

A

To act as an emergency source of power
Used to start the aircraft engines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a bus?

A

The pathway between different energy sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the four types of busses?

A

Essential Bus
Primary Bus
Secondary Bus
Starter Bus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What equipment does the Essential bus supply power to?

A

Equipment needed for safety of flight
(primary attitude gyroscope)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What equipment does the Primary bus supply power to?

A

Equipment needed for aircraft mission
(radar)

17
Q

What equipment does the Secondary bus supply power to?

A

Equipment needed for convenience
(cabin lighting)

18
Q

What equipment does the Starter bus supply power to?

A

Equipment needed for starter circuits to start the aircraft engines

19
Q

What provides an automatic means of interrupting power?

A

Circuit breakers
Fuses

20
Q

What provides a manual means of interrupting power?

A

Circuit breakers
Switches

21
Q

What will signal a electrical system malfunction?

A

Warning lights in the cockpit

22
Q

What is an auxiliary power unit?

A

A small, independent gas turbine that ultimately turns a generator that provides power to the aircraft

23
Q

When is the APU needed?

A

For emergency power
Power during ground operations

24
Q

If the main generator fails, which bus(ses) will remain powered?

A

The essential bus